United clinch Kuszczak deal

Wednesday 11 January 2006 00:08 BST

Manchester United have confirmed the capture of goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak from West Brom.

Sir Alex Ferguson's attempts to land the Polish international have been frustrated throughout the summer. The Scot expected the deal to be tied up last month, once United returned from their pre-season tour of South Africa. Details of the deal will be confirmed on Friday.

In exchange, West Brom will get defender Paul McShane and goalkeeper Luke Steele on a permanent basis.

The Steele transfer in particular will not go down well with Coventry, who signed the youngster on loan from United but now find the player has been recalled, then immediately sold to one of their local Coca-Cola Championship rivals.

In addition, Kuszczak's arrival means Ben Foster is now free to head down to Watford and link up with the Barclays Premiership outfit for a second season, having played a major role in their promotion to the top flight last year.

Kuszczak will now act as understudy to United's first-choice goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, with Ferguson looking to the former Hertha Berlin star to stake a claim to be United's new number one when the veteran Dutchman calls time on his own career, probably after Euro 2008.

With Foster now guaranteed the Premiership experience Ferguson thinks is essential at the current stage of his career, and Tim Howard looking for a return to form at Everton, the United camp are hopeful they have enough strength in the goalkeeping department to maintain healthy competition for the next five years at least.

Foster's excellent form last season also saw him named on the standby list for England's World Cup squad.

And he said: "I was delighted to get the call on Wednesday giving me the all-clear to come down and sign all the paperwork.

"Now I'm really looking forward to a year in the Premiership with Watford."